Department of Theoretical Biology
The department of theoretical biology uses mathematics and computer simulations to study the dynamics of evolution. Our team is interdisciplinary, with backgrounds ranging from biology, physics, and mathematics to computer science and economics.
Our goal is, on the one hand, to model biological systems with a close connection to empirical research, on the other hand we develop the mathematical toolbox of theoretical biology further and aim to generate new conceptual insights. The biological problems we address include the emergence and maintenance of polymorphisms in natural populations, the evolution of cooperation and the evolutionary dynamics of cancer.
The department is organised into the three main themes Cancer Evolution, Metaorganisms, as well as Population Structure and Game Theory. In addition, the department is hosting four research groups, which independently pursue their own research direction.
Here you can find further information: www.evolbio.mpg.de/~traulsen